Chithi Na Koi Sandesh Lyrics Translation

Chithi na koi sandesh, translates to English as, no letter, nor any news... It is an extremely sad song, in which the late Jagjit Singh expresses great emotion. It is a song that leaves people in tears when they hear it. The lyrics of this song explore loss and separation, and; begins with the ultimate question, which is where do we go once we die. Nobody has ever received a note (chithi) or any message (sandesh) from the other side. However, the first three lines of the lyrics are extremely heartbreaking inquiring, what kind of place (desh) is this that you have gone to from which there is no note or message?

The concept of life after death, that pretty much spread throughout the civilized world, goes back to this following Sanskrit passage from the gita.

I always read this in reverse as it makes more sense! My (mama) place (dhaama) is the supreme (paramam), where (yat) those gone (gatvaa) never (na) return (nivartante). It is illuminated (bhaasayate) by neither sun (suryo), nor moon (shashanko), nor fire (pavakah).

As you can imagine, the absence of the sun, moon and fire, therefore clearly indicate that this place where people go to is not a material place. His place is outside the material universe, and it is not governed by the laws of material nature.

People read this translation and burst into tears, so have your handkerchiefs ready! In the lyrics, the line, hai dil mein reh gayi baat, jaldi se chouda kar hath, is very poignant, and could apply to many people. Unfortunately, the nature of life is such that, there will always be something left unsaid, because there is never a best time to die. When that hand is released, and the person is gone, it always appears that a few seconds more could have helped. However, at times of near death, the person leaving already knows everything that is in everyone’s hearts.

The last line is very heartbreaking because it drives home that everything alive experiences this pain of separation. There are even aspects of your character and personality that will miss the loved ones and continue searching for them. It is a biochemical program evolved over thousands of years to make you feel this anguish. It is the truth, by which we live, that all living things in the animal kingdom, eventually suffer this loss of separation, because nothing in this material world is forever.

Meaning, Context, Approximations

For the most part, the lyrics are straightforward, but it is important to note the differences in the meaning of jahan and kahan, as it makes a big difference to the overall meaning. The line jahan tum chale gaye, approximates to, the place to which you have gone to... However kahan tum chale gaye, approximates to a question, where have you gone? However the end line is, where you have gone, meant as a statement...

Chubhte, prick, or thorn prick, however pain in heart is a better simplification.

Aushkon, tears

Salaam, salute, or a goodbye salute in this context

Thesh, hurt, anguish in this context for the sake of simplicity

Doondhe, search

Jaate jaate, whilst going, in this context for the sake of simplicity

Sandesh, news, or message in this context

Chithi, letter, or note in this context

Desh, country, or place in this context

Aahen, sigh, breath, or the last dying breath

Dedication

I dedicate this song to my fiancée, and child, who died in the 9/11 tragedy. My love will continue searching for them forever...

English Translation

Chithi, na koi sandesh,

No note, or any message,

jane woh kaunsa desh,

nobody knows what kind of place,

jahan tum chale gaye...

to which you have gone...

iss dil pe laga ke thesh

you left on this heart such anguish

ek aahen bhari hogi, hamne na suni hogi,

in one breath, that I did not hear,

jaate jaate tumne, awaaz toh de hogi,

whilst going, you must have called for me

har waqt, yehi hain gham, us waqt kaha the hum,

every second, there is now sorrow, those seconds are asking me.

kahan tum chale gaye? ...

where have you gone? ...

har cheez pe aushkon se, likha hai tumhara naam,

everyhing of yours, has your name written upon it, with my tears

ye raste ghar galiyan, tumhe kar na sake salaam,

(even) these roads and paths, were unable to salute you goodbye,

hai dil mein reh gayi baat, jaldi se chouda kar hath,

just one thing in my heart remained that I wanted to say, but your hand released mine so quickly,

ab yadon ke kante, is dil mein chubhte hain,

now all memories are like thorns, bringing to this heart such pain

na dard tahar ta hain, na aanson rukte hain,

that no cure can end, nor any amount of tears can stop

tumhe dhoondh rahe hai pyaar, hum kaise kare iqraar

(my) love continues searching for you, how can I explain to it,

kahan tum chale gaye...

where you have gone...

If you read only the lines in English again, you will notice that there is a continuance between them, and it is synchronized with the Hindi passages. Hopefully, you will not be crying too much at this point.